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Healththanksgiving

You might want to avoid these Thanksgiving foods if you’re taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
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By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 27, 2024, 12:40 PM ET
Here's what to avoid if you're taking GLP-1 meds at Thanksgiving.
Here's what to avoid if you're taking GLP-1 meds at Thanksgiving. Getty Images

The surge of use in weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy might have people wondering what the best options are for Thanksgiving this year. Eat the wrong foods and you could feel nauseous (or worse).

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At least one of those is a Thanksgiving staple.

Medical experts suggest bypassing the mac and cheese tomorrow, as its core ingredients—carbs and fat—will be hard for people on GLP-1 medications to digest, which could lead to feeling a bit queasy.

Candied yams, also, are a no-no, as the primary focus of these drugs is for people with Type 2 diabetes, meaning something that’s so rich in sugars could impact your blood sugar. For that same reason, you might want to skip the wine as well.

Thanksgiving without overindulgence might seem a bit alien to people. In many households, the sign of a good meal is people slumped on the couch with their pants unbuttoned, groaning from eating entirely too much, but still occasionally snacking on whatever food is closest to them.

Doctors recommend that people on weight-loss drugs try to avoid foods that are slathered in butter or sugar. So opt for the green beans with almond slivers over the dense green bean casserole and perhaps consider the homemade cranberry sauce over the canned variety.

The best approach? While you can still enjoy any of your Thanksgiving favorites, moderation is the key. Go light on heavy foods and keep your portion sizes reasonable.

But, yes, you can still enjoy the turkey (assuming it’s not fried). In fact, the protein-rich main course could be one of your best bets. Gravy? Well, you probably know the answer to that already.

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About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

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